Ophelia walked through the wreckage of her burning camp in an absolute daze, the place was supposed to be in the throes of a grand celebration for her child’s second rotation of life but instead, it was filled with the half-eaten dead bodies of her small garden.
She knew that living outside of the Terrarium Belt had its extreme dangers but Ophelia refused to accept that everyone she knew and loved was suddenly gone in such a violent manner, it just couldn't be true.
Her soul shook in anguish and she felt like she was drowning in overwhelming guilt— she wanted to collapse right there on the spot and never move again as each familiar face flashed in her vision coupled with the fond memories that she held for them.
All it did was add weight to her horrible grief— she wanted to die with the only family she has ever known as her mind began to break underneath the magnitude of such devastation.
The only thing keeping her moving was that neither her son nor her mate was among the dead. She knew because she had checked each body and every corner of the camp to the point where her [bark] ornaments were stained with scarlet blood and gray ash. Congealing together, making a repulsive black.
She continued to walk following the trails of blood, fallen embers, and signs of fighting into the tree line, her heartbeat increased in speed with every step to the point where that was all she could focus on, she knew what was coming. Yet she walked with the naive hope held close to her shattered oozing mess of a heart that things would be different this time, that the ‘All Father’ couldn't have created them only to go through such travesty.
She stopped right before entering a clearing, her breathing erratic and frayed her vision blurry with tears. Her hands shook while she sobbed because she knew exactly what was behind the flimsy cover.
“No things will be different this time, it can't be real. It can’t be real!” She screamed in disillusion and madness before breaking through the high grass to see the scene that will break her forever.
🍀
Ophelia woke up hyperventilating from the recurring nightmare with a familiar aching pain in her chest. She wanted to scream, cry and beg for her garden back, for her special beautiful boy to return to her arms; but it has been seven cycles since her life was ripped away from her.
No matter how much she groveled and pleaded to ‘Mother Eærth’, no matter how many rituals she performed in the search of a way to do something impossible; none of it mattered because of the agonizing heart wrenching truth that she refused to believe— she was all alone.
It was sheer irony that she had at one point considered herself the luckiest Druid throughout the Grasslandic Ocean, she chuckled darkly at that.
She began pulling herself together as per usual, smothering her horrid past with sheer productivity and overwork. She crawled out of her miniature black cloverfield of a bed to sit on the edge of its wooden frame, ruminating about the tasks for the day.
Ophelia pulled her frizzy black gold-lined canopy of loose leaf-like hair back. Her multi-colored stained hands held it all in place with a bit of grown white [bark] revealing her beautiful timeless appearance.
Experiencing the warmth of the rising sun through the open canopy roof touching her naked light pastel green skin and untying some of the twisted knots from her turbulent slumber had her sighing. She blinked the last bit of wariness out of her golden silver rimmed eyes with an exhausted yawn.
Ophelia stretched in relief, showcasing her plump form lined with golden stems lines; she felt the dark emotions within her subside somewhat. The unlucky black six-leafed clovers that grew in the moist soil of her bed began to shed their leaves with her alleviated mood until all that remained was a bed of neutral silver two-leafed clovers.
She could thankfully feel the causality around her balance out with the fall of the leaves.It was never good to have her luck be black for too long, it could bring unfortunate consequences to her and those around her.
She gritted her teeth in frustration that she allowed herself to even let it go black. She wasn't traveling alone like she usually did, she couldn't allow her emotions to endanger the Spector scavenger group she was currently in collaboration with.
Ophelia was one of the Gammas currently traveling with a group of scavengers in a moderate-sized Earthship traversing one of the most dangerous and mysterious biometric ecosystems of Eærth. Her cooperation came with the responsibility of camouflaging and blessing the dozen Delta and Gamma scavengers onboard with as much luck from ‘Mother Eærth’ as she could muster during their scavenger operation.
She did this alongside their Gamma swarm leader ‘Rim Rollacoast’. In return for her service which brought in considerable profit and security for the leader, he promised her passage part way to her destination through the mythic labyrinthine rainforest of [Midgard] claiming to have Biotrix {map} logs that would get them considerably deep in the confusing biome. If we survive that long, it's already been half a cycle and we still have yet see any sign proof that they were making any progress, she thought morbidly
Suddenly there was a knock on the door leading up to her small room at the very top of the Earthship.
“What is it?” She asked irritably as she splashed some water on her face, absorbing most of it with her skin.
“Joyful rising Gamma Hex, the swarm leader wishes to see you immediately.” A small voice answered back. Most likely one of the young twin girls, who usually ran around delivering messages and doing menial tasks around camp.
Opening the hatch, revealed that it was in fact, Luna. A shy little Spector girl who’s only seven rotations old. Her [exo] organix had still yet to thicken her exoskeleton which resulted in very thin black segmented [exo] plates on her arthropodic tail and vital areas. Her porcelain skin was milky white and she had round eyes with purple irises.
“Grand rising little sapling, tell your father I will be there shortly. But before you go give me your hand child.” Ophelia said gently, feeling a pang of jealousy at seeing such a beautiful child while hers was…her baby was ... she couldn't even finish the thought lest she break down in front of the girl.
The Spector girl grew visibly excited with her [exo] tail shifting in anticipation, this wasn't her first time receiving a probability hex from the infamous ‘Ophelia Hex’ after all; she knew what to expect. During her travels Ophelia always found children to be the most fascinated by organix, regardless of its form.
Smiling along with the girl she focused on the shim in the air.
With a bit of will she grew a golden four-leafed clover in her hand while plucking a silver two-leafed clover from her bed— crushing them both into a paste using her [pigmentopus] organix. She dipped her index finger into the tiny gold pile in her palm and drew a simple circle on the back of Luna’s hand; the girl giggled at the tingles that came along with it.
Ophelia then used her pinky to swipe up the silver to draw a line through the golden circle creating a basic hex of neutral luck. It briefly glowed once it was complete, proving the hex was done without any issues. Luna's eyes sparkled at the sight.
“Remember to see silver in the line while the hour is golden child, lest everything fades to black.” Ophelia whispered to Luna, squeezing her hand before letting the girl go back to her tasks.
“Thank you Gamma Hex, I will do my best to remember.” She said meekly before disappearing down the ladder, leading deeper into the Earthship.
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The girl probably had no idea what she meant by that phrase, even Ophelia herself wondered if she actually knew what it meant sometimes, the phrase was her late mothers after all. Another pang of distraught wrecked through her heart at the memories that tried to flood her mind at the thought of her mother, but she locked them back in their cage; confining them away with the rest of her past.
She checked her status on her Biotrix, to distract herself. The ‘All Fathers’ circular wrist mounted mystic tool, pixelated into a panel with her organix information and a 3D model showcasing her body. Noting the time and her green status condition she closed it out.
Time: 6:46am sunrise
Location: Midgard
Name: Ophelia Hex
{Druidsapien} 26 cycles old
-Status- Green
Species Organix
[Bark]+
[Photosynthesis]+
[Regeneration]+
[Pigmentöpus]+
[Probabilitusçloverus]+
Now let’s go see what swarm leader Rollacoast wants, and it better not be to ask if the camouflage is holding up again. She thought wryly.
Before departing, with a twinge of her will she activated her [bark] organix which began to form sleek form-fitting white wooden armor over her soft vulnerable naked body.
The simple patterns carved in the bark throughout the grown protective body suit filled with her lucky gold clover fluid before settling in place. She slipped down the hatch smoothly, grabbing her well-worn dull black-silver leafed shamrock cloak with the inside lined in golden petals off its rack before shutting the door in one fell swoop.
The interior of the Earthship was convoluted, damp, and cramped, she found most Spectors were rather fond of these types of tightly enclosed spaces. Not all of them, but it usually correlated to the species of arthropod they have attuned themselves with.
She didn't mind it, she was rather used to it; her past mate was a Spector after all.
Ophelia continued to duck and traverse small corridors and ladders on her way to the swarm leader's chambers, all the while passing several closed sleeping quarters. She dabbed bits of gold on them as she passed, granting a modicum of luck to the peacefully resting occupants.
A part of her envied their easy slumber, as all she had to look forward to at night was nightmares.
Coming up to the lounge of Gamma Rollacoast, revealed a decorated circular door with a fine filigree of amethyst crystal, depicting the beautiful story of a boy binding his Phenomenon Quintessence and becoming a new species.
It was the usual practice for those who practiced Mysticism to depict their organix empowerment in their dwelling, to allow the history of evolution to be passed down visually. Ophelia could appreciate the care and attention that went into the edifice even if hers went missing all those moons ago.
Gently knocking on the door before pushing it open and entering, Ophelia wondered again what Rim would need of her outside of her allocated duties. He stood with his back turned to her looking out the open window to a thick morning mist blocking most of their vision to the jungle. It shrouded the outside in a mysterious ambiance that made her want to get lost in its deadly depths.
Her attention was brought back to Rim Rollacoast who was a large Spector of a man who nearly filled the room with his girth. He sported rounded features and swirling grooves through his thick matte-black layered carapace.
Through those groves, rolled fist-sized evolved pill bugs that constantly stayed in motion orbiting and rolling around their master's body. His head-tail hung low with the weight of one of his [Rollabugs] cupped at the end.
He was a Gamma with but one phenomenon organix, but like most Spectors it came with an army of loyal followers. Ophelia was always a bit jealous of that racial advantage, it was what drew her to her late mate in the first place. Shaking the thoughts of her past lover out of her head she greeted the swarm leader of the Earthship with a small curtsy.
“You called for me, swarm leader?” Ophelia asked, wondering why Rim hasn’t greeted her yet.
“Ah, Ophelia! Just in time my lucky flower.” Rim turned around with a broad dull toothed smile on his alabaster face, a [multiperspectivity] purple tinted opaque membrane visor covered his upper face blocking out his sight.
A second later, it receded to the side of his head revealing his large amethyst eyes with black sclera. He must’ve been too distracted by his insects' viewpoint to hear her enter the room. Not a good trait to have as a leader. Ophelia thought distastefully but didn't show it on her face.
“In time for what, have your bugs found something of importance?” She asked while making her way to Rims’ side next to the window.
He rubbed his hands together in obvious excitement. “Importance wouldn’t even begin to describe what my scouts have just stumbled upon. You’ve heard of the legends about the ‘All Fathers’ protectors, yes?”
Ophelia’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “I've heard plenty of lore that mentions them, especially around mythic texts. All of them state that they should never be trifled with. Apparently, they have the power to obliterate your entire entourage with a swipe of their mountainous hand if the idea so fancied them. So please tell me you are not about to endanger us all by engaging with those giants.”
“My swarm understands what it is we do out here and the danger that comes along with it, we are not hunters but scavengers relying on nature's whims to feed and strengthen us. While also giving us valuable trade items for the Bazaar.” Rim said that last part with a greedy glint in his eye.
“Now after months on this excursion in this accursed jungle maze of a biome— slipping by the most dangerous organisms this side of the planet has to offer, I have finally stumbled across something that would make this trip worth it and more.
If I'm not mistaken from the description, this [gargantuan] would be the first to be seen outside of the newborns. The Evolutionary himself would pay me my weight in cryst for even just a piece. I would be a brain-dead larva to pass this opportunity up.
And remember it was you who wanted to go this deep into [Midgard] on your mystic pilgrimage, searching for signs of the ‘All Father’ tower. Well here’s a sign right here and it's worth more than a dead God,” Rim smiled wide in an exaggerated manner looking straight into Ophelia's eyes, emitting his conviction.
“Blasphemy, you know Gods do not die,” She replied sharply
Ophelia knew there was no changing his mind especially since he was right, but these turn of events made her feel uneasy. The lore behind the ‘All Fathers’ protectors proved she was getting closer to her goal, but she didn't want to put the Earthship in jeopardy in the process.
Still, she was just a tag-along, Rim was doing her a monumental favor while trying to make profit to support his swarm so her opinion mattered very little to the Earthship's overall mission of scavenging. She just hoped her golden clovers led to a better outcome other than death.
Sensing the dark mood Rim Placed his large rounded [exo] covered hand on her shoulder. “I apologize for that remark, the rumors seemed to have gotten to me. Listen, this operation's success is all thanks to you and your organix giving us ‘Mother Eærths’ luck Gamma Hex.
I'm not sure if anyone has been able to make it this far in the labyrinth with zero casualties and I'm truly grateful for that. Now before we start the final leg of the expedition, would you mind double-checking the effectiveness of your color pigment addon to the Earthship.”
Ophelia gave him an exasperated look.
“Ah, I am not doubting your work Hex, but as you said we are about to traverse dangerous grounds. It's best if we are sure of ourselves beforehand, wouldn’t you agree?” Rim said, sounding very pleased with himself.
“Your argument is sound, Rim. Just don't forget our deal, I need to find a way to the tower before the red moon; So this had better not waste any more of our time.” She said as she hopped out of the window.
“Ha, i'll get you as far as the Omega who sold me his {map} logs but people have been looking for that place for centuries for a reason.”
Choosing to ignore him she disappeared into the mist. She glanced back and shook her head in amusement at the fact that his [multiperspectivity] visors were back up. Her mirth lasted a fraction of a second before her familiar melancholy returned, knowing her mission seemed futile.
“Lest everything fades to black.” She whispered to herself.